Jenson Button reflects about safety

October 27th, 2011 (F1plus Team).- The 209 Formula 1 champion, Jenson Button, has said that the recent accidents of Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli in which both lives were lost, are a tough reminder of the dangers of the racing sport.

He believes that no matter what, 100% safety will never be reached, and that is something drivers have to live with.

Dan Wheldon died in a 15 car horrific pile up crash at the last race in the Indy series in Las Vegas in October 16th, while last Sunday, Marco Simoncelli succumbed to injuries when he slide –almost falling off- across the track and was impacted by two other drivers with their motorcycles.

“All motorsport is dangerous, it doesn't matter what you’re doing,” McLaren’s Button, whose largest accident left him unconscious in Monaco in 2003, said at India’s new Buddh International Circuit on Thursday.

“The levels of danger are different, depending on what you are racing. In MotoGP, you can't get away from the fact you don't have anything around you (protecting the rider) and it's been the same for 50 years. IndyCars are flat-out on ovals – it’s such a high speed to be at when you are within a few centimetres of other cars but, again, that's what IndyCar is all about.”

Button grew up around Wheldon, racing against his compatriot on go-karts in the early 90s.

“When I heard the news about Dan it was a massive shock because I’ve known him since we were young,” the 2009 World Champion continued. “I wasn’t as close to him as I used to be, because we hadn’t raced together since 1998, but we raced against each other since he was eight. Last year was the last time I saw him.

“We had our comings together, we didn't always see eye to eye, but I think we had a mutual respect. It's very difficult when to lose someone as good as Dan, but you have to take the good memories and remember what he has given to the sport.”